Since relocating from Italy to Sydney a few years back, electronic producer Antonio Rosselli (aka Master Of Ribongia) has shared live bills with the likes of Flying Lotus and Gaslamp Killer, remixed local acts The Bakery and Brackets and also found time to collaborate with vocalist Lanie Lane as Idea Idea. This debut EP release on the recently reactivated Creative Vibes label collects together six original tracks from MOR alongside three remixes that showcase his merging of leftfield, unpredictable beats with a distinctly pop-based aesthetic – indeed, from the outset here, it’s fairly easy to see why he’s been associated with the aforementioned LA hiphop acts.
After a brief wash of field recorded traffic noise and radio chatter, ‘Bebe Is Gone’ smoothly opens proceedings with a languid wander through noodling keyboards, clattering hiphop beats and twinkling xylophone arrangements that curiously recalls one of Gotye’s playfully atmospheric wanders, before ‘Sky Fall’ pushes things out into dancehall-tinged 8-bit pop electronics, with Emma Dean’s vocals soaring against a wobbling backdrop of sub-bass, clicking 808 toms and juddering synths that seems just barely able to hold itself together at points as bleeping synths and icy Nintendo-esque tones dart through the mix. By contrast, the buzzing ‘Face My Face’ sees the rhythms hardening up the attack factor as snapping snares burrow beneath dark swells of distorted synth bass, squealing Moog solos and liquid-sounding sloshes in a manner similar to Samiyam, while ‘Sweet Beat’ throws the electro-funk styles down, sending liquid-sounding synth-soul stabs rippling against a fat backdrop of squelching sub-bass and glittering electro synths that’s easily one of the most flex-heavy workouts on offer here. Toss in three consistently engaging remixes from Jonny Faith, BFG and Digi G’Alessio, and you’ve got an impressive debut EP that should especially appeal to fans of the likes of Hudson Mohawke and the aforementioned Samiyam.
Chirs Downton
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